Encountering
a plant with three distinct leaves does not necessarily mean the worst-
Virginia Creeper is a native plant beneficial to Florida bees and wildlife.
But this benign relative of the Grape can sometimes masquerade as Poison
Ivy, causing confusion and consternation. Because,
though the creeper's compound leaves usually have 5 leaflets,
they may also have 3 (or 7). And, both Virginia Creeper and Poison Ivy
display red pigments in fall and winter.

Homeowners in Florida may find Virginia
Creeper growing on their fences, walls, and on tree trunks. Cabbage Palms (Sabal
palmetto) which are transplanted from wild areas into urban
landscapes as well as trees grown in field nurseries frequently
host growths of Poison Ivy, Virginia Creeper, or both. For
naturalized landscaping effects or when landscaping for wildlife, it
may be desirable to maintain some vines of Virginia Creeper.

Do I Have Poison Ivy?

Whether
or not one has Poison Ivy is best determined by one's own judgement
or by expert firsthand visual inspection of the rash or the plant, and preferably according to a sample of
both. However, be careful not to contract a case while harvesting
a specimen.

Behind whitewashed gates, crumbling coral walls and thick privacy hedges, the way to the meditation pond is not without its dangers. Even there lurks the one toxic resiny leaf that stops a botanist dead in her (or his) tracks- the black-blistered foliage of Toxicodendron radicans. It is unknown why instinct, or at least common sense doesn't always click in when poisonous items are encountered in life. This plant screams "don't touch me" to the keen eye, and it's those who feel that all plants look alike who end up scratching (by chris). Many newcomers to Florida are not aware that Mango is in the same family (Anacardiaceae ) as Poison Ivy, until the first time they wear a bathing suit while pruning a Mango tree. Like Poison Ivy, dripping sap from Mango trees is something best avoided.